A 15-year-old has pleaded not guilty in a Yonkers shooting that killed one man and injured four teenagers.
The teen was arraigned in Westchester County Court on Tuesday, Sept. 15, on an indictment charging him with second-degree murder and other felonies.
He is accused of firing at a group of people at Elm Street and Palisade Avenue just before 8:45 pm on Aug. 2. Brandon Garcia, 20, was hit in the back and died from his wounds at a local hospital a short time later. The four teenagers who were shot are recovering from non-life threatening injuries.
The defendant raced up Elm Street, followed by a Yonkers police captain who was nearby and heard the shots. The teenager tried to hide behind a car on St. Casimir Place a block away, where he was taken
into custody by responding officers. A Taurus 9mm semiautomatic pistol believed to have been used in the shooting was found under the car.
Authorities have said they believe the shooting was gang-related but have not specified a motive.
The Journal News/lohud is not naming the defendant because of his age.
In a statement, Westchester District Attorney Susan Cacace praised the work of Yonkers police and said that law enforcement in Westchester "will hold accountable those who callously open fire, take lives, and endanger our communities, regardless of their age.”
“This case is another tragic and deeply troubling example of a young person allegedly possessing a gun and causing irreparable harm in our own backyard," Cacace said. "The defendant’s alleged deliberate actions claimed one life, left four teenagers wounded, and forever changed countless lives."
In addition to second-degree murder, the teen faces charges of second-degree attempted murder, second-degree assault, second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and first-degree reckless endangerment. If convicted of murder he would face a minimum of 7 1/2 to 15 years up to life in prison.
Defense lawyers Joseph Marciano and Jessica Hugel have declined to seek bail and the defendant, who turns 16 next month, remains at Woodfield Cottage, the county's secure juvenile detention center.
Westchester Judge Sheralyn Pulver scheduled his next court appearance for Dec. 11.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: 15-year-old charged in Yonkers shooting that left one dead, 4 injured
